07.18.08 - Denise Ramsden 16th in women’s time trial at world junior cycling championships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Denis Ramsden of Kingston, Ont., placed 16th Friday in the women’s time trial at the world junior cycling championships.

Maria Grandt Petersen of Denmark won the 14.1 kilometre race in 21 minutes and 03.11 and was the only rider to average more than 40 kilometres and hour. Valeriya Kononenko of Ukraine was second in 21:20.24 and Laura Dittmann of Germany third in 21:52.41.

Ramsden, the runner-up at the junior nationals last month, clocked 22:41.46. Leah Kirchmann of Winnipeg was 25th in 23:22.87.

‘’I was happy with how I rode and it was an improvement over how the time trial went for me last year,’’ said Ramsden, 24th in the time trial at last year’s world juniors. ‘’I felt great throughout the race. I really liked the course and I was able to ride more consistently from start to finish.’’

Kirchmann, who also competed at the mountain bike worlds this year, was making her world junior debut on the road.

‘’I felt I put a good effort in,’’ said Kirchmann, 18. ‘’I would have liked to finish a bit better but it’s a good first race at this level.’’

In the men’s 26.8 kilometre time trial, Michal Kwiatlowski of Poland was the winner in 36:21.21 with Jakon Steigmiller of Germany second in 36:26.54 and Taylor Phinney of the U.S., third in 36:29.15.

Devon Novakowski of Kingston was 28th in 38:35.72 and Hugo Houle of Drummondville, Que., 38th in 39:08.27.

‘’I was really pleased with it,’’ said Novakowski. ‘’The course is really rolling and worked well for me. My main focus was keep a nice and steady rhythm. It was very easy to get caught in the trap of getting your heart rate too high and just blowing up. It was a longer time trial and I’m more use to 15 kilometres.’’

Competition ends Sunday with the men’s and women’s road races.